BMB Spacekid
BMB Spacekid meanders through mostly unheard caramel modern funk, Soulection-esque pumpers then up and out through high-tempo fizzies that feature Goldlink on the credits — all within 63mins.
About this mix
My approach to recording mixes always differs everywhere from concept to techniques. For this one, I used vinyl with DJ Tools sounds with an APC40 controller, Ableton and MPC 3000. 70-80% of this mix is unreleased, original material without the use of record samples, but recorded on analog equipment instead including a Juno 106, MPC 3000 and Fender guitar. It also features sounds from old Soviet cartoons about space.
As for concept and sound, this mix doesn't sound like one I would usually play live at a club or festival show. For me music is either information or energy — you can find both elements in this mix. Besides, it's not a recording of a live set; people will be listening to it at their homes. That's why I started with the most soulful material and sprinkled in some old favourites to hopefully reach a new audience of people who haven't yet listened to my music. I guess, we haven't 'shaken hands' yet but this is my way of saying welcome.
Boiler Room says...
It's intriguing to see how musical trajectories often intersect. This time last year, BMB Spacekid, was ushering out his maiden release on a newbie label that was also home to the likes of Cadenza and Jesus Million. Cuba (out via The Full Hundred) might have baffled journalists when it arrived in early November 2014. How could this beatsmith from the glacial regions of St. Petersburg in Russia be making such sunshine-laced, p-funk influenced music? How does it all sound so good?
Well, easily. BMB - known to his parents as Dmitry Semenov - has cited rare groove and soul as major influences since the start of his career. And having shared stages with everyone from HudMo and Ras G through to MF Doom and Wu Tang, he's no tenderfoot.
He proved that to any naysayers not too long ago. Just over five months ago, Boiler Room and Scotch whisky dons, Ballantine's took off to Russia. The aim of the trip was to fortify a link that had slipped under the radar for years: the Ruskie appreciation for US boom-bap rap.
As well as shutting down a Boiler Room session, Spacekid and one half of LA-based funksters NxWorries, Anderson .Paak, spent a few days in the studio with none other than DJ Premier. The result of their combined wizardry conceived “Til It’s Done” – a head-nodding jaunt through electro-funk characterised by a tuff underbelly and topped by Anderson’s ever-capable vocal acrobatics.
Upfront 039 treads in similar territory. Bar a cut from Dexter Wansel's classic cosmos-facing album Life On Mars early on, BMB's own productions engulf the mix. And what a journey it is. Starting off with hazy, Sunday morning beatsy cuts (and the odd Moodymann excerpt), you'll be chauffeured through caramel modern funk, Soulection-esque pumpers then up and out through high-tempo fizzies that feature Goldlink in the credits — all in just 63mins.
Count us in for this joyride.
Tracklisting
Upfront mixes
Our weekly audio mix series where we call upon the most interesting artists/DJs/record labels and ask them to peer into the near future. How they take it from there is entirely open to interpretation.
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Disco Halal
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CW/A
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